November 17, 2010

There are still multiple theories out there, most of which contain some truth. But the multiple theories serve as a barrier to action -- it just all seems so hopeless, especially if the causes are seen to be cultural.
Some of the clear causes, however, are "actionable," such as the literacy issue, ...

August 04, 2010

This is worth an extended look. The British gender gaps have been an issue for years. By contrast, the school gaps in the United States are only now getting some attention. That's why the British solutions are worth a look, especially the synthetic phonics approach.
In this country the synthetic p...

June 18, 2010

If University of New Hampshire professor Thomas Newkirk, author of Misreading Masculinity," is leading the movement, I'm on the bandwagon.
From the AP story:
At a time when people spend much of their time skimming websites, text messages and e-mails, an English professor at the University of New ...

June 16, 2010

Life is just unfair that way. Here's HIrsch and Robert Pondiscio in The American Prospect, explaining in one succinct essay why Reading First failed. They are too polite to point that out -- but I will. They don't reference the boys issue, but they don't have to. Reading First was designed for high ...

June 11, 2010

Want an example of how more intense reading and writing standards have been pushed into the lower grades, affecting boys more than girls? Here's an Education Week essay by writing expert Thomas Newkirk, author of Misreading Masculinity, a must-read for anyone studying the gender gap.
The new common...

May 28, 2010

Children are seven times more likely to own a mobile device than a book, according to the study described in this Daily Mail article. Combine that finding with the recently discussed finding that academic success can be predicted by the number of books found in the home and mix it all together with ...